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  • The King of New Orleans

  • How the Junkyard Dog Became Professional Wrestling's First Black Superhero
  • By: Greg Klein
  • Narrated by: J D Jackson
  • Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
  • 3.2 out of 5 stars (5 ratings)

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The King of New Orleans cover art

The King of New Orleans

By: Greg Klein
Narrated by: J D Jackson
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Summary

Telling the remarkable tale of a man who is still remembered on the streets of New Orleans and in the hearts of professional-wrestling fans, this book aims to restore the overlooked Junkyard Dog to his proper place in the history books. 

In 1979, Sylvester Ritter, also known as the Junkyard Dog, managed to break one of the final color barriers in the sport by becoming the first Black wrestler named undisputed top star of his promotion, and this biography reveals all the famous feuds and business back stories that made him a wrestling legend. By 1985, New Orleans was one of the hottest cities in the Mid-South for pro wrestling due in large part to the Junkyard Dog; he became a legend in the Big Easy, drawing sellout crowds to the Downtown Municipal Auditorium and huge crowds to the Superdome, a feat unparalleled by any other wrestler. 

The King of New Orleans delves into wrestling’s recent past and recounts how a region known for racial injustice became the home of the sport’s first Black idol.

©2012 Greg Klein (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about The King of New Orleans

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • MR
  • 08-04-15

Where's the Dog?

Disappointing in the sense that this contains more information regarding Bill Watts than JYD. Also jumps around alot story wise.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

ok read

if you are not famlier with some of the names in wrestlering this book can get confussing

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • R
  • 07-03-13

Yawn

Reads like its someone's school homework. Lots of facts, dates and quotes but no fun

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